Machine to extract oil from fruit

ABSTRACT

A modulating machine is used to extract and recover the essential oil from citrus fruit such as lemons, oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, etc. not removing their peel, but by microperforating it and disrupting oil cells. The oil thus extracted is trapped in water so as to form an aqueous emulsion. The created machine includes a set of grooved disks ( 9 ) mounted over corresponding supporting axes ( 8 ); a base structure ( 1 ) on which lower portion there is a transmission set installed, formed by pulleys ( 2 ) and chains or grooved belts ( 3 ) operated by a motor ( 4 ); a set of supporting axes ( 8 ) provided with alternate axial and rotational movement, by a set of operation members ( 10 ) interconnected to rod ( 11 ) transmitting alternate movement to the connected handles ( 12 ), alternating to the ends ( 13 ) of the supporting axes ( 8 ). The machine also includes an emulsion tank ( 15 ) laterally provided with collectors ( 16 ); spillway ( 30 ); disk cleaning set ( 9 ) fruit washing and drying unit; and an automatic lubrication system for application of oil and grease at specific points.

APPLICATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention deals with a modulating machine, used to extract andrecover essential oil from citrus fruit such as lemons, oranges,mandarins, grapefruit, etc, wherein the peel is not removed, but bymeans of microperforation of the peel and disruption of the oil cells.The oil thus extracted is trapped in water, so as to form an aqueousemulsion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The extraction and recovery of essential oil from citrus fruit isdiscussed in the Brazilian patents PI 8002964 and PI 8402231, both nolonger valid. Said patents refer to machines previously described in theU.S. Pat. Nos. 3,707,176, 3,954,032 and 4,070,959, which areincorporated herein as general reference.

The Brazilian patent PI 8002964 describes a device to extract oil fromthe peel of non-round citrus fruit and refers to the non-suitability ofthe machines as described in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,707,176, 3,954,032 and4,070,959 for such an application. That device comprises a pair ofparallel horizontal serrated cylinders forming recesses within them toreceive the fruit, means to rotate said cylinders in the same sense andmeans to cause axial displacement movement relative to said cylinders,so that such axial displacement promotes a change in fruit directionrelative to such cylinders. Furthermore, said cylinders are immersed inwater.

Oil extraction in that equipment is accomplished by cutting the fruitpeel by the cylinders in a region below the water level.

The Brazilian patent PI 8402231 refers directly to U.S. Pat. No.4,070,959 and presents an improvement therein introduced. As describedin the mentioned patent PI 8402231, the improvement consists ofproviding water spraying pipes, spaced apart inside the closedrecipient, intended to spray water directly over the external surface ofeach fruit, thus carrying the essential oil extracted from them throughthe cylinder teeth. As per the description, that improvement intends tokeep any bacteria coming from so-called “lower quality” fruit from beingtransferred to good quality fruit through the “water bath”. It is alsonoted in FIGS. 6 and 7 of that patent that the serrated rings have aslight inclination relative to the cylinder that supports them.

Despite the fact that such machines, as described above, performacceptable processes of extraction of essential oil from citrus fruit,they present, industrially speaking, a few limitations regarding theart, such as operation conditions, maintenance and versatility ofapplication required by an industrial process. Some of these limitationscan be summarized as follows:

-   -   equipment modularity—machines known in the art are large,        appropriate only for high production and therefore built as        individual units, specific to meet a given application;    -   emulsion tank—there is one single tank with the purpose of a        tank per se, with structure to receive the bearing of a disk        shaft acting both as a bearing and sealing. Sealing uses an        o-ring, which limits the shaft rotation to a lower rotation than        the bearing. This does not allow increasing the rotation and        processing ability of the machine;    -   bearing of disk shaft—the bearing is made of graphite chuck, it        is self-aligning and has rolling purposes. It has axial        translation and sealing to limit rotation, thus forbidding an        increase in speed and in fruit processing capacity. Graphite        used in the bearing promotes emulsion contamination, as it is in        direct contact with said bearing;    -   axial movement system—operation is done by means of a rotating        lateral axis, by intermediate vertical axis actuated by        cylindrical cams, operated by means of arms and two axis        simultaneously. That configuration requires a larger quantity of        items, such as bearings for the lateral axis, vertical axis,        fastening supports and further lubricating points;    -   disk cleaning system—Cleaning is manual, using a high-pressure        hose, with the remaining fruit over the disks needing previous        removal.    -   fruit feed system—Fruit are fed in batches, by means of a timer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a machine thatextracts and recovers essential oil from citrus fruit, advantageouslysolving the existing problems of the machines known in the art, asdescribed above.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine that extractsand recovers essential oil from citrus fruit, offering a significantimprovement in recovering efficiency of the oil extracted from fruit.

These and other objects are attained by means of a machine presentingthe following improvements, among others:

-   (i) modular conception;-   (ii) independent emulsion tank with a lateral collector;-   (iii) self-aligning disk axis bearing, separately from the emulsion    tank;-   (iv) lateral axis with oscillating movement;-   (v) automatic disk cleaning joined to the fruit remover;-   (vi) automatic tank cleaning;-   (vii) self-cleaning spillway with level control;-   (viii) automatic lubrication system;-   (ix) washer and drier with independent operation; and-   (x) rotational and axial movement system with variable speed.

More specifically, such improvements, their effects and advantages arerepresented by:

-   -   modularity: the machine of the invention is built into modules,        thus allowing for quick changes in configuration for a required        fruit processing capacity. Modularity occurs in both dimensions,        length and width, thus allowing for flexibility as a function of        different customer processing capacities. This characteristic        provides easier manufacture and wider range of offer with a high        proportion of common components and consequently a reduced        number of special parts. It results in more flexibility to        compose the final equipment, reduces stocks and increases the        negotiation power when purchasing components, due to the larger        availability of common components in the market. Furthermore, it        makes the assembling process more easily managed, enabling the        simultaneous realization of various sets for later final        assembly;    -   emulsion tank: the tank is separate from the equipment        structure, thus facilitating its manufacture, installation and        maintenance. That solution allows for more flexibility as to        concepts for disk axis sealing, thus favoring the elimination of        emulsion leaks and loss through lateral collectors, by keeping        the feeding and discharge in closed circuit. It also provides        for modular assembly of sets of four disk axes, to make        maintenance easier;    -   axis sealing: independent disk axis sealing was projected to        have higher limiting rotation values than in existing machines.        It also allows for quick substitution, with no need to        disassemble the disk axis bearing;    -   collectors: the tank structure includes two lateral collectors,        which main purpose is to collect emulsion leakage from the axis        interface provided with rotation and translation movement with        its sealing;    -   emulsion control: control of feeding water flow in the tank by        means of valves and a flowmeter to control the oil content in        the emulsion, in the process of citrus oil recovery;    -   automatic tank cleaning: a nozzle system located in the bottom        of the tank, with specific arrangement for cleaning during        operation intervals;    -   spillway: allows the control of water level in the tank, thus        resulting in better exposure of the oil cell perforating disks        according to the size of the fruit to be processed. Its        configuration allows for self-cleaning of floating solid matter;    -   disk axis bearing: self-compensating rolling bearing with an        axial sliding chuck which can be lubricated with no need of        special food grade lubricants. There is no potential        contamination risk in the process;    -   axial movement system: effected by two lateral axes with        oscillatory movement, by using the concept of handle rod and        through an arm directly activating disk axes simultaneously and        within alternate positions;    -   disk cleaning system: set located above disk axes, equipped with        lengthwise translation operation following the natural fruit        flow, simultaneously arranged to the fruit removing system;    -   automatic lubrication system: including an electrical panel with        pumping, distribution and monitoring lubrication center for the        bearings and chains. A timer operation eliminates manual        intervention and reduces lubricant consumption by monitoring        lubricant levels, thus resulting in longer working life for        components, lower operational costs and avoiding stops for        maintenance;    -   rotational and axial moving system under variable speed: allows        the increase in the extracting efficiency of the machine as a        function of variety, size, shape and oil content available in        fruit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Improvements and effects provided by the modulating machine for oilextraction and recovery object of this invention will be apparent forthe skilled in the art from the attached schematic figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the machine;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the machine;

FIG. 3 shows an upper view of the emulsion tank;

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal view of the lateral collector;

FIG. 5 shows a lateral section view of the emulsion tank, stressing axissealing;

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the axis sealing;

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the spillway;

FIG. 8 shows a section view of the disk axis bearing;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the rotational movement system for thesupporting axes;

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged front view of the axial movement set;

FIG. 11 shows a front view of the disk cleaning set;

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the disk cleaning set, stressing thespraying nozzle.

FIGS. 13 a, 13 b and 13 c show respectively side, front and higher viewsof the fruit washer and drier;

FIG. 14 shows the lubrication system scheme for the machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout this description, equivalent parts as illustrated in thefigures will be identified only once in each figure. Furthermore, in thepresent description only the essential and innovative components of themachine will be detailed, since other components, structures andfeatures are generally already known in the art, from the abovementioned references or from classical mechanical projects for machinebuilding in general.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, one can notice that the modulating machine forextraction and recovery of oil object of this invention consists of abasic or chassis structure (1),in which lower portion there is aninstalled transmission set formed by pulleys (2) and serrated chains orbelts (3) operated by a motor (4). That set transmits by means of axis(5) movement to a range of pulleys and chains (which are illustrated anddescribed below), which re-transmit such movement to other pulleysproviding for movement to the supporting axes (8). Over said supportingaxes (8), there areserrated disks (9) responsible for the extraction ofcitrus oil from fruit. Besides the rotational movement, said supportingaxes (8) are provided with alternated axial movement, by means of anoperation set (10) interconnected to a motor reducing set. Said sets areconnected to the piston rods (11) which transmit alternated movement tothe handles (12), which are alternatively connected to the ends (13) ofsaid supporting axes (8). Details of that connection are better viewedon FIG. 11, as described below. All pulleys and chains mentioned abovecan be substituted with similar elements to perform the same function,such as serrated wheels, serrated belts or similar.

The whole set of supporting axes (8) with disks (9) is located over theemulsion tank (15), laterally equipped with collectors (16) for eventualemulsion leakage through the bearings (40) of said supporting axes (8).It must be stressed that said rotation-bearing means (40), in contrastwith the machines known in the art, are located outside the emulsiontank (15), thus avoiding any kind of contamination of the citrus oilextracted by the machine.

FIG. 3 shows an upper view of the emulsion tank (15), which consists oftwo contiguous cells (15 a) and (15 b) provided with inclination towardstheir corresponding longitudinal axes (15 c) and (15 d), alongside whichsets of spraying nozzles (17) are appropriately positioned. Said tank issurrounded by side walls to form a kind of tub to retain the collectedwater-citrus oil mix inside it and keep the discharge feeding outlets(15 g) and (15 h). On its side, lateral collectors for emulsion leakage(16) and (16′) can be seen, and the spillway (30) on the rear side.

On FIG. 4, one can observe that said emulsion tank (15) has a slightinclination “α” towards the spillway (30) and the water-citrus oilemulsion collector.

FIG. 5 shows the emulsion tank (15), stressing the supporting axis (8).It can be seen that said emulsion tank (15) is supported on its centerover a structure (19) and has a bottom with inclination “β” towards itslongitudinal axis and cleaning discharge (15 g). The sealing set (20) ofsaid supporting axes (8) is separate for each axis and allows for quicksubstitution with no need to disassemble the bearing. This is donethanks to its structure incorporating, as detailed on FIG. 6 on theinternal side, a squeezing flange (21) on the base of the valve gland(22) and, on the external side, a sealing gasket (23) followed by asupport plate (24) sandwiched between two restriction plates (25) and(25′) and two lateral closing joints (26) and (26′). These elements arerigidly fixed face to face by means of sets of bolts, screws and gaskets(27) and (27′) located on their ends. Said valve gland is fixed by itsmost external end by means of a screw (28). On FIG. 5, it is shown thatmentioned collector (16) has a pipe (18) on its bottom to transferemulsion eventually leaking through said sealing set (20).

FIG. 7 shows the spillway (30) equipped with “V”-shaped cut-outs (31)through which the water-citrus oil emulsion will drop towards thecollecting and transfer box. Dimensions and quantity of cut-outs on thespillway will depend on specific characteristics of the machine project,such as capacity and flow.

FIG. 8 shows a section view of a bearing (40) of the supporting axes (8)of disks (9), representing rotation-bearing means. Said bearing (40) isof the linear-rotatory kind and comprises a chuck (41), eventually madeof bronze, equipped with graphite blades (42), internally mounted over aself-aligning roll (43) located inside the base (44).

FIG. 9 shows the set for rotational movement of the supporting axes (8),including a series of modules (50) comprising a pair of pulleys (51) and(52) assembled over the corresponding supporting axes (8) and (8′),which are operated by means of a chain or belt (53). Said supportingaxes (8) and (8′) are axially operated by means of handles (54) and (55)mounted over a lateral axis (56). The quantity of modules (50) existingin the machine object of the invention will only depend on thedimensional characteristics of the project.

FIG. 10 shows in further detail the handle (12) rod (11) set for axialoperation of the supporting axis (8), where it can be seen that theconnection with said elements is made by the end (13) of said supportingaxis (8). The set is moved by a motor reductor (14) and an operationdevice consisting of a pulley (10) to which a pair of rods (11) isconnected.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show the disk cleaning set (9). Such set consists of atransversal structure (60) laterally supported by pulleys (61) and (62),with a fruit removal bar (63) articulated therewith in a suspendedfashion. Said structure (60) supports a series of spraying nozzles (64)used to clean said disks (9). The cleaning set is located above the disk(9) axes (8) and is provided with lengthwise movement, following thenatural flow of fruit. This set has the purpose to remove the remainingfruit over the disks (9), when the fruit feed is interrupted, andsimultaneously promotes the displacement of the spraying nozzle set(64), simultaneously cleaning the mentioned disks (9) by the action bothof water jet pressure from the nozzles and the disk rotation. Thecleaning water feed can be made by means of a flexible hose withhigh-pressure joint and provided with a degree of liberty for rotation.

FIGS. 13 a, 13 b and 13 c show the fruit washing and cleaning unit. Suchwasher/drier is mounted over a supporting structure (70) and consists ofa feeding slope (71) for fruit which just passed by the disks (9), whichare thrown over a first set of grooved rolls (72), over which astructure (73) supporting a set of spraying nozzle set (74) is located.The purpose of this first set of grooved rolls (72) is to provide forwashing of the fruit from which the essential oil has been extracted,removing the still remaining oil over its surface. By means of asequence of said grooved rolls (72), a second set of flat rolls (76),which have the purpose to dry the fruit surface immediately upon washingby the first set of rolls. The fruit then dried are discharged over theslope (77). Both the first (72) and the second (76) sets of rolls arelocated inside a collecting tub (78) provided with emulsion dischargepipes (79). Also, both the first (72) and second (76) roll sets areprovided with rotational movement as offered by a motor reductor set(100) and chains (81).

FIG. 14 shows the scheme of the automatic lubrication system of themachine. The lubrication system developed for the machine has the mainpurpose of providing for the application of oil and grease at specificpoints, with flow and time intervals duly regulated to guarantee themachine operation within ideal lubrication standards. The lubricationsystem includes therefore a lubricant command/pumping/tank frame (80).From that frame (80), specifically from the lubricant tanks, two pumpssend oil and grease, respectively, to a central distributor (81). Atimer circuit operates said oil and grease pumps, while the lubricantlevel in the tanks is sensed for replenishment. Through appropriate setsof pipes (82), (83) and (84), oil and grease are sent to a number ofcontrolled flow distributors (85), (86), (87) and (88), from which theyare sent to the application points, such as bearings, chains and others.Said distributors have holes with calibrated diameter for flow controlin as many lubrication points. It can be seen that said controlled flowdistributors (85), (86), (87) and (88) are strategically located aroundthe emulsion tank (15). It can also be seen that each controlled flowdistributor for the sets (85), (86), (87) and (88) has a specificconnection to the central distributor (81) through the correspondingpipes (82), (83) and (84). However, special pipes (89) equipped withderivation blocks (89′) and (89″) feed a controlled flow distributor(90) installed to make the lubrication of elements from the fruitwashing and drying unit (78).

This lubrication system therefore allows increasing the working life ofthe machine object of the invention, while reducing the frequency ofmaintenance and lubricant consumption.

1. A machine to extract oil from fruit comprising: an emulsion tank foran emulsion comprising extracted oil from the fruit; a plurality ofrotatable supporting axes each as a shaft extending through saidemulsion tank; a plurality of perforating devices carried by saidplurality of rotatable supporting axes for perforating fruit to extractoil therefrom; a plurality of bearings positioned outside of saidemulsion tank and supporting for rotation said plurality of rotatablesupporting axes; and at least one collector laterally adjacent saidemulsion tank for collecting emulsion leakage from said bearings,wherein said plurality of rotatable supporting axes are arranged inremovable modular units, each modular unit comprising a plurality ofrotatable supporting axes to facilitate configuration changes fordifferent fruit processing application changes.
 2. A machine to extractoil from fruit according to claim 1 wherein each of said perforatingdevices comprises a disk.
 3. A machine to extract oil from fruitaccording to claim 1 wherein each bearing comprises a rotary linearbearing.
 4. A machine to extract oil from fruit according to claim 3wherein each rotary linear bearing comprises: a base; a chuck; aplurality of blades carried by said chuck; and a self-aligning bearingmounting said chuck to said base.
 5. A machine to extract oil from fruitaccording to claim 1 wherein said bearings comprises a respective pairof bearings for respective ends of each supporting axis; and whereinsaid at least one collection tank comprises a pair of collection tankslaterally adjacent opposite sides of said emulsion tank.
 6. A machine toextract oil from fruit according to claim 1 further comprising at leastone spray nozzle for directing fluid to said supporting axes.
 7. Amachine to extract oil from fruit according to claim 6 wherein said atleast one spray nozzle is movable to a plurality of different positions.8. A machine to extract oil from fruit according to claim 1 furthercomprising a cleaning set adjacent said emulsion tank and comprising: atransversal structure; a plurality of pulleys supporting saidtransversal structure; a fruit removal bar articulated with saidtransversal structure in a suspended fashion; and a plurality of spraynozzles carried by said transversal structure to clean said perforatingdevices as said transversal structure moves in a lengthwise directionfollowing a natural flux of fruit.
 9. A machine to extract oil fromfruit according to claim 8 wherein said cleaning set removes remainingfruit over the perforating devices and simultaneously promotesdisplacement of said spraying nozzles by action of water jet pressurefrom the nozzles and rotation of said perforating devices.
 10. A machineto extract oil from fruit according to claim 1 wherein said emulsiontank comprises a spillway having V-shaped cut-outs therein.
 11. Amachine to extract oil from fruit according to claim 1 furthercomprising an operation set and a motor reductor set connected theretoto alternatingly move said supporting axes.
 12. A machine to extract oilfrom fruit according to claim 1 further comprising a sealing set foreach supporting axis and comprising: a valve gland having a base; asqueezing flange for the base of said valve gland; two retention platesand two lateral closing joints; and a sealing gasket and a supportingplate sandwiched between said two retention plates and said two lateralclosing joints.
 13. A machine to extract oil from fruit according toclaim 1 further comprising a unit for fruit washing and dryingcomprising: a first set of grooved rolls; a set of spraying nozzlesadjacent said first set of grooved rolls; and a second set of plainrolls downstream from said first set of groove rolls.
 14. A machine toextract oil from fruit according to claim 1 further comprising alubrication system comprising: a lubricant tank and pump connectedthereto; and a timer for operating said pump to lubricate applicationpoints.
 15. A machine to extract oil from fruit according to claim 1wherein said emulsion tank comprises two contiguous cells having a slopetowards their corresponding longitudinal axes.
 16. A machine to extractoil from fruit according to claim 1 further comprising spraying nozzlesets alongside said emulsion tank.
 17. A machine to extract oil fromfruit according to claim 1 further comprising side walls forming a tubaround said emulsion tank to contain the emulsion therein and to keepfeeding and discharge in a closed circuit.